Simple Cranberry Orange Sauce 🍊 A bright & delicious combo of tart whole cranberries and fresh orange sweetened with maple syrup and a hint of spice. How nice!
This easy cranberry sauce recipe will be a welcomed addition to your Thanksgiving or holiday table. The combination of whole tart cranberries lightly sweetened with maple syrup and fresh citrusy orange is a flavor sensation for your taste buds! I've added just a hint of holiday spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves - making this the perfect traditional must-have for any fall or winter feast.
If you love these flavors too, you might like to try my recipe for vegan yams (sweet potatoes) baked with cranberries and orange juice and these vegan cranberry cheese bites made with this very sauce.
With just 3 main ingredients, a bit of spice and a few minutes - you'll have the best homemade cranberry sauce you've ever tasted!
Ingredients
🥕 See the printable recipe below for quantities and details
- Cranberries - fresh, whole
- Maple syrup
- Water
- Fresh orange - segments and zest
- Spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (or pumpkin pie spice)
Instructions
Wash and rinse cranberries and orange(s). Grate zest from orange skin. Peel and separate segments and cut into pieces.
- Pour cranberries into a saucepan with maple syrup and water.
2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Simmer cranberries for about 10 minutes.
4. Once cranberries are soft, remove from heat.
5. Transfer cranberries and liquid to a medium sized bowl. Stir in orange pieces and spices.
6. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Equipment
- One medium saucepan
- One medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cup
- Mesh strainer or colander
- Citrus zester
- Cutting board
- Small kitchen knife
Cranberry Sauce FAQ's
How can I use leftover cranberry orange sauce?
I love having leftover cranberry sauce because it is so much more than just a holiday side dish. You can enjoy it as a spread on toast or bagels, as a topping for pancakes or waffles, and as a filling for muffins or turnovers or in these scrumptious cranberry oat crumble bars. It makes an ideal filling for vegan cranberry cheese bites baked in puff pastry. How about spreading some sauce on a "day after Thanksgiving leftover sandwich" made with slices of vegan seitan roast or tofu, and stuffing, layered between dinner rolls or bread?
Can I freeze cranberry orange sauce?
Yes, cranberry orange sauce can be frozen for up to three months. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Can I substitute dried cranberries for fresh in my cranberry orange sauce?
It's best to use fresh or frozen whole cranberries to achieve the right texture and consistency. Dried cranberries can be used as a garnish or topping, but they won't work as well in the sauce itself.
Can I prepare cranberry orange sauce in advance?
Yes you can! This recipe can be made 3 days before serving. Be sure to keep it refrigerated in airtight container.
🥕If you love cranberries, then you'll love these berry delish dishes!
If you love this recipe ★★★★★ please be sure to rate it below! Sharing your experience lets me know that you enjoyed it and will help other readers decide if they should give the recipe a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕
Recipe
Simple Cranberry Orange Sauce
Equipment
- One medium saucepan
- One medium mixing bowl
- Mesh Strainer or colander
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberries whole fresh - washed/rinsed well
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup orange segments segmented and cut into ½" pieces
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 pinch pumpkin spice cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
Instructions
- Wash and rinse cranberries - drain in strainer or colander
- Wash and rinse orange(s) and grate peel for zest (1 tsp). Remove peel and separate orange into segments. Remove as much of the white pith from the segments as possible. Cut segments into roughly ½" pieces. Set aside.
- Combine maple syrup and water in a medium saucepan. Place on stove over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Add cranberries to boiling water and syrup. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until cranberries are softened and cooked.
- Transfer hot cranberries and liquid into medium size bowl. Stir in orange pieces and spice. Add more spice as desired. Sprinkle with orange zest.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Sprinkle with additional zest before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Cindy Traisi says
Absolutely delicious.
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
There's just something about that combo of cranberries & orange 🍊💚🥕
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
It's so easy to make the most delicious homemade cranberry sauce. Give this recipe a try - you'll never want to buy canned cranberry sauce again!